PM Modi to address rally in Himachal Pradesh’s Mandi

Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh on Monday took stock of the security arrangements a day ahead of PM's visit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday arrived in Mandi in Himachal Pradesh. PM Modi will address a Parivartan Rally of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) there and dedicate three hydro power projects. This is Modi’s maiden visit to Himachal Pradesh after assuming power.

Unprecedented security arrangements have been made by the Mandi district administration. The whole area has been divided into thirteen sanitized sectors and policemen with automatic weapons have been posted at several sensitive places. After this rally, Modi will also attend another rally in Nahan.

Interacting with reporters, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh on Monday said: “We do not want to leave any stone unturned to give a warm welcome to the Prime Minister.” He also took stock of the security arrangement a day ahead of PM’s visit.

The CM visited the venues of the rally at Mandi and Nahan, along with state health and revenue minister Kaul Singh Thakur, MP Ram Swaroop Sharma, DGP Sanjay Kumar, and senior officers of PMO and the district administration.

Asked about the state assembly election which is due next year, the Himachal CM said Congress would repeat its success and form the next government in the state. Earlier on Sunday, He had said that Modi’s rally would have no impact on the poll prospects of BJP in the state.

The PM, in his visit, will dedicate three hydropower projects, namely 800 MW Koldam project executed by National Thermal Power Corporation, 530 MW Parvati Stage II project of National Hydropower Corporation and 412 MW Rampur hydropower project of Sutlej Jal Vidyut Nigam, to the people. The BJP leader is accompanied by Union Power Minister Piyush Goel.

The BJP has put in major efforts to make the rally a success with top leaders including, Union Health Minister JP Nadda, former chief ministers Shanta Kumar and PK Dhumal, state BJP chief Satpal Singh Satti, BJYM president Anurag Thakur, among others expected to attend the programme.